‘Gray Hooded Bandit’ Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A parolee pleaded not guilty Monday to charges related to a series of armed robberies at small liquor and convenience stores that happened over a four-month period.

Jose Manual Cuellar, 20, faced 27 felony counts of second-degree robbery in connection with a series of robberies committed by the “Gray Hooded Bandit” between November 15, and February 2, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

The robberies took place in the Hollywood-Olympic and Wilshire areas of Los Angeles, along with some areas of the San Fernando Valley, including Glendale and Burbank, the D.A.’s Office said.

Cuellar, who was convicted in 2008 of carjacking, was arrested Friday by Los Angeles police detectives following a lengthy investigation.

If convicted, he faces more than 40 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.